When Landon arrived at the school filming location, he indeed saw several reporters lying in wait outside the crew's security perimeter.
Clearly, Britney and Justin were the most watched news of the early century, especially Justin's counterattack after cheating, which made them targets for the media's pursuit.
Landon's scenes for today were in the afternoon.
To avoid media interference with the crew's rigorous creative atmosphere, with the production company's consent, he used a vacant classroom in the school for a fifteen-minute simple press conference during a break in the morning filming.
Upon arriving to face six or seven media outlets, Landon sat down. The questions quickly focused on the hot topics.
"Mr. Williams, I am a reporter from the New York Daily News. What are your thoughts on Justin Timberlake's recent claims that Britney has a new love and his emphasis that the breakup was a problem for both parties?"
The question pointed directly at the center of the gossip whirlpool.
A fitting look of confusion appeared on Landon's face as he answered calmly, "Who is Justin Timberlake? I don't know him."
He did not fall into the trap of evaluating others' relationships; instead, he used defamiliarization to cleverly draw a line, shifting the focus from old scandals back to himself.
"Mr. Williams, New York Post. What exactly is your relationship with Britney? Why is she promoting your song so vigorously?"
"We are good friends, nothing more," Landon said with a firm tone. "We met through music and appreciate each other's professional attitude. She recommended the song because she truly appreciates it. At the same time,"
He added key information, "She is also good friends with my agent and another actor under our agent's banner."
Landon still mentioned Tracy and Rachel, hoping it would have some effect.
"Mr. Williams, New York Daily. Britney's song and your song are on the charts at the same time, so there is a competitive relationship. What is the business logic behind her helping a competitor promote?"
Landon nodded slightly: "First, the music market is not a zero-sum game. Her dance music and my work have different styles; although the audience overlaps, it is not identical. Her recommendation might bring me a new listener base.
Secondly, mutual support among friends is common. Today she recommends me, and in the future, when I have the ability, I will also recommend the works of artists I admire—including Britney.
It's just that my influence isn't as great as hers right now, so it looks like one-sided help. Finally," he said solemnly,
"If the quality of the song itself were insufficient, Britney's professional standards would never allow her to recommend it based solely on personal friendship. This is actually recognition of the work itself."
The press conference ended briefly. Landon thanked them politely, emphasizing that the work itself was more worthy of attention.
During the afternoon filming, the producer said to Landon privately, "You handled that very steadily. Remember this feeling; the identities of actor and public figure often need to be switched like this."
After finishing work, Landon reflected on this small-scale media contact.
His phone rang, and Tracy sent a message: "Landon, two music media outlets want to schedule professional interviews. I'll filter them and then pass them to you."
Landon replied with a confirmation.
The next morning, while reading the newspaper in the car on the way to the set, a bitter smile tugged at the corner of Landon's mouth.
The New York Post's report indeed used the most ambiguous writing style, with a headline in a font that invited imagination: "Britney's 'Inner Circle': A Triangular Link with a New Singer and a Sexy Actress under the Same agent?"
The article readjusted his clarifying language from yesterday, repeatedly using terms like "rising music star," "Pop Queen," "another mysterious actress," and "private inner circle," downplaying music and professional cooperation throughout the piece, instead constantly implying some kind of unconventional, intriguing private relationship existed among the three.
"What they need isn't facts; it's sales." Landon put the newspaper aside and rubbed the space between his eyebrows.
Tracy's phone call from last night still rang in his ears: "That's the rules of the game, Landon. Explanations only make the fire burn brighter. What we need now is to let better works speak, and a little... 'help' to divert attention."
By contrast, the New York Daily News was much more disciplined, directly quoting his original words "Who is Justin Timberlake? I don't know him," and relatively objectively recounting his views on mutual recommendations among friends and music appreciation. Although the headline still inevitably mentioned Britney, it leaned more toward industry trends.
Of course, Tracy had clearly made some efforts, as the New York Daily completely recounted Landon's original words:
"Her dance music and my work have different styles; although the audience overlaps, it is not identical. Her recommendation might bring me a new listener base.
Secondly, mutual support among friends is common. Today she recommends me, and in the future, when I have the ability, I will also recommend the works of artists I admire—including Britney."
However, the headlines of almost all entertainment sections today were not about Landon Williams, the suddenly emerging "friend of Britney," nor about that speculative love triangle, but—Justin Timberlake's scandal had fully escalated, with high-definition ironclad evidence causing a public outcry.
A larger wave had completely submerged the ripples on his side.
Last night, Bruce followed Landon's instructions to execute the next step.
Unlike the first time, when only photos that could confirm Justin's cheating but were still "conservative" were sent out, this time, the editorial departments of several key media outlets received anonymous packages during the night shift.
Inside, the photos were completely different from the first batch: multiple sets of high-definition and extremely explicit intimate photos, so clear that the faces and expressions of the parties involved were fully visible.
If the first leak sparked public outcry and questions about Justin's character, then this time, it was undoubtedly a nuclear bomb sufficient to destroy his public image.
The evidence was as solid as a mountain, leaving no room for maneuver.
Previous reports about Justin's cheating still had some gray areas, and some supporters could still argue or question the authenticity of the photos. Now, these crystal-clear image evidences completely crushed any possibility of defense.
Morning TV entertainment news was already scrolling through heavily pixelated screenshots and harsh commentary, and the radio host's tone was full of contempt.
Public opinion instantly shifted from questioning to complete anger and condemnation. The wave of sympathy for Britney and attacks on Justin's hypocrisy and filth reached its peak.
Landon's slightly exaggerated "triangle cloud" immediately seemed insignificant in the face of the dust from such a nuclear-level scandal. Even the carefully crafted article in the New York Post was quickly submerged by the more surging tide of condemnation.
"This time the photos... leave no room at all." Landon listened to the host's impassioned condemnation on the radio, his eyes calm.
He had held back the first time out of a certain bottom line, hoping that a relatively restrained warning would make the other party back off, so that Britney would not be hurt in the future.
But the continuous malicious insinuations from Justin's side made him change his strategy.
Since the other party tried to confuse the public and hurt his friend, then no more mercy was needed.